Insp (Rtd) Reggie Deli, 78, one of Sarawak’s most decorated policemen who passed away last Wednesday was laid to rest at the Batu Kitang Anglican Cemetery in Kuching today.

Federal police (Bukit Aman) management director, Mortadza Nazarene and Sarawak police commissioner, Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani were among the force’s top brass who paid their last respects and attended the funeral ceremony of the late Reggie, who died of old age.

Acryl Sani told reporters that the late Reggie was among six policemen in Sarawak who were bestowed the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) for their gallantry in fighting the communist insurgency in the state.

“Reggie had served well in the police force for 36 years and had played a vital role in nation-building,” he said.

Mortadza, meanwhile, said present-day policemen should emulate Reggie who went all out in the line of duty to fight the communists.

“By doing so, it will be another way for our policemen to strengthen integrity in the force,” he said.

Reggie joined the force on July 27, 1961 as a recruit at the Bukit Siol Police Training School in Kuching.

He worked his way up to the rank of inspector and was posted to the 18th Battalion Police Field Force (PFF) based in Miri in June 1973.

It was during this tenure that he was assigned to lead five PFF personnel to track down and eventually defeated 14 communist insurgents near Sebauh, Bintulu on April 10, 1973.

Due to declining health, Reggie retired in 1986 at the age of 52. He leaves behind five children aged between 37 and 55 years.

- Bernama